Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Examination of the Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly (Resumed)

12:00 pm

Dr. Paul McGowan:

From a Brexit perspective, we are in a unique position in that the wholesale market we operate runs on an all-island basis. It is jointly regulated by both the Utility Regulator, UR, and the CRU. The focus of the single electricity market, SEM, committee - comprising the UR, the CRU and the independent member - which oversees that is to protect the single electricity market and ensure it continues in its current form, regardless of the outcome of Brexit. We have sensed a level of political commitment from both London and Brussels in that regard, and it is on that we are focused. We do not get involved in any negotiations in respect of Brexit. Those negotiations are carried out by the Government.